Automobile radiator closure



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,147

F. A. WHITTEN AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CLO SURE Filed Feb. 2, 1927 Qqrromwsy Patented Jan, 8, 1929.

UNITED STATI-:S4v

'1,698,147- PATENT oFFICE.

FRANK A. WRITTEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAR AND l FOUNDRY MOTORS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.'Y., A CORPORATION OF DELA- AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CLOSURE.

i Application filed February 2, 1927. Serial No. 165,423.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred formof the invention, though it is to be understood that the .invention is not limited to the exact details pf construction shown and described, as itis obvious that various modiications [thereof within the scope of the claims will occur to persons skilled 1n the -art."

l principal object the provision of an automobile radiator cap, which when open will be entirely .disposed at one side so as -to permit the entire radiator filling opening to n be unobstructed and thus afford a filling opening of a maximum size.I

A further object of the -invention is to provide an automobile radiator cap wherein the cap or ,closure element isapositively locked on the llingopening of the radiator, producing a water tight joint and obviating the loss of such cap or closure' The invention also contemplates an automobile radiator cap that is of comparative simple construction, and one not likely to become inoperative.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an automobile, radiator cap embodying a hinged or pivoted closureor cap, together' with a novel llatch means for positively latching the cap or closure in position to l'close rand seal the-radiator.

f KIt is also an object ofthe invention to I provide a radiator cap or closure having a weighted ornamented hinged cap element,

which `whenin an open position will be effectiv'ely -supported so that the cap ornament cannot contact with the varnished surfalces of Ithe automobile and hence scanfor other,-

wise mutilate the same.A i

`Referringr to the invention in' detail, an!

automobile radiator is designated ati and shown at 33, the handle in includes the usual filling neck 6, the latter being formed withv spaced internal lateral enlargements 7. A collar 8 is received on the neck 6, and, is formed with an inwardly directed annular flange 9 at its upper edge, which rests upon the upper edge of the 'neckand enlargements 7 Suitable screws or other convenient fastening elements-10 pass through openings 11 in the flange ,9, and are engaged in threaded registering bores 12 in these enlargements. A packing washer 13 lis interposed between the upper face of the neck 6 and the under face of the ange 9.

As disclosed in Fig. 1, the collar 8 is formed witha laterally projecting rectangular extension 14, having a longitudinal bore 15 extending the entire length thereof and receiving the hinge pin 16, whose ends project beyondthe extension. For thepurpose of'securing the hinge pin in place, arset screw 18 'is engaged in a threaded opening 19 formed in the underface of the extension and passes transvcersely through the hinge pin.

Adapted to rest, upon the ange 9 is a cap cap or closure 20 is cast with a boss 21h.

U-shaped in horizontal cross section, which overlies the extension llly and has its parallel legs pivotally received on the projecting ends of the hinge pin 16 'as at 22. The end wall 23 is longitudinally curved, and the lower extremity thereof constitutes a stop or abutment to contact with the collar 8 when the device is in openv position to limit the opening movement of the cap as will be apparent so that an ornament, to be hereinafter referred to, carried by the cap cannot contact with the adjacent part of the automobile.

In order to latch the cap or closure in positive water tight engagement with the radiator filling neck, latch means are provided which consist of a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 24 formed about the .inneredge of the flange 9. These lugs are formed by producing a plurality of spaced openings 25 in triangular formation,

vA11 ornamental handle for the cap is the instance shown being a hollow sphere, but it is to be understood that this is merely by way of exam le as obviously the handle may assume any esired or preferred form. The handle is provided with an internally threaded boss 34 which receives a bushing 3l into lwhich latter the upper end of a threaded stem 25a is tightly fitted. The .stem 25a extends rotated and the locking upwardly through an opening 26 in the cap 2O and then -into the bushing and for sealing purposes a gaskete32- is arranged between the cap and the boss 34. The stem is rovided with nuts 29 which are arranged ad] acent the under surface of the cap 20 .but which are not in close engagement with said under surface in order to permit-free rotation of the handle 33 and the stem 25a for a purpose to be presently described.

On the stem 25 adjacent its lower end is a locking element conprising a hub 27 which is threadedly engaged on the stem and from which a plurality of locking bars 28 radially project; the latter being disposed in relative trian lar relation to accord with the beforementioned openings and' retainin lugs 25 and 24 respectively. The extreme ower end of the stem 25 is provided with a nut 3() which functions as a stop element for limitin the downward movement of the hub. 27 w ereby the latter will not be backed off of the stem 25.

It is believed that the construction of the device will be clear from the above description, and referring to` the operation thereof, it can be seen that when the cap is attached to the radiator or other containerby the. pin 16, to permit access to the radiator for filling purposes, the cap is swung to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the lower end of the wall 23 contacting with the collar 8 to limit the opening movement of the cap. To secure the cap .in closin position with respect to the filling neck of t e radiator, said cap is swung over the radiator neck and the handle 33 is manipulated by -being rotated whereupon the stem 25a will of course be i bars 28 will enter the openings'25. Contlnued rotation of the handle 33 turns the stem 25 whichJ movement it will be apparent will rotate the locking bars 28 to a .position beneath the .lugs

24, whch movement of the bars 28 will be limited by the vertical abutments 7 in the" heck. Further rotation of the handle 33 and the resultant turning of the stem 25al will carry the hub 27 upwardly on the 'stem 25 until the bars 28 are in close engagement with the under 'surfaces of the lugs 24 and the cap 20 thus -tightlyengaged against the upper ed e'of the collar 8; it being apparent --that in e ect the cap is pulled downwardly bythe engagement of the locking bars with the under surfaces of the lugs 24.

This invention has 1 been particularly specified as being a 'closure for the filling neck of a radiator for a motor vehicle, but such an adaptation is merely illustrative, as it is apparentfhat the principles outlined herein and the construction shown in the drawings and described in the specification is readily susceptible of use with any container having a filling opening or a 'filling neck, and it is not t0 be understood that the applicant restricts himself to a closure for.

to the handle and normally positioned in' lthe neck, and locking bars carried by the stem and adapted to -be' engaged under the locking lugs upon rotation of the handle and stem, continued rotation of said stemelevating the bars to engage the latter withthe under surfaces ofthe locking lugs.

2. In ycombination with a motor vehicle radiator having a filling neck, vertically arranged abutments in said neck, a collar secured to said neck and provided with spaced lugs arranged over the before-mentioned abutments, a cap pivotally connected to the neck, a rotatable stem extending through the cap and normally positioned in the filling neck, a hub secured tothe stem and verticallyl movable thereon, and

locking bars projecting radially from said hub and adapted to be positionednnder the lugs upon rotation of the stem,- continued rotation-of the stem-forcing the bars against the aforesaid abutments and moving the hub vertically on the stem to force the bars,'

against' the under surfaces of the lugs to secure the cap yin closing position on the filling neck. y

3. Incombination with a container having a filling neck, vertical4 abutments formed in said neck, and means for Vclosing the neck comprising an annular collar surrounding said neck and'vprovided with a flange arranged over the filling neck, ,said flange provided with cut-out portions defining ocking. lugs therebetween, means connecting the flange and said abutmentsQ a cap hingedly connected to the collar and locking means carried by the cap for engaging under lthe locking. lugs.

- `4. In a closure for containers having a filling opening, locking ludglsarranged over the opening, a cap hinge y secured adjacent the opening, a rotatable stem extending through the cap, ak handle 'for rotating the stem, and locking bars carried by -the stem and adapted uponrotation of the stem to be engaged under the before-mentioned locking lugs, continued rotation of said stem moving the bars upwardly whereby they are engaged against the under surfaces of said lugs to secure the cap in sealing relation with the lling opening.

5. In combination with la motor vehicle radiator vhaving a lling neck, a closure therefor comprising locking lugs arranged over'the neck, a cap pivotally connected to the neck, a stem extending through the cap and normally positioned in the neck, locking bars threadedly engagedy with the 'stem and adapted to engage under the locking lugs, and a handle for rotating the stem for positioning the bars under the lugs and for moving the bars vertically whereby ,the latter are tightly engaged with the under surfaces of the lugs to firmly secure the cap to the illing neck. l 's 6. In combinationI with a container having a filling neck, spaced horizontally arranged locking lugs positioned over said neck, a` cap hingedly connected to the neck, and means -for securing said cap in closing l position with respect tothe neck comprising locking bars carried by the cap, 4and means for moving the bars vertically to engage the same against the under surfaces of 'said locking lugs.

In witness whereof I my hand.

have hereunto set FRANK A. wHrrT-EN. 

